Alpha Canis Minoris, also known as Procyon, is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor. It is approximately 11.4 light-years away from Earth and is classified as a binary star system, consisting of a main-sequence star and a faint white dwarf companion. Procyon is about 1.5 times more massive than the Sun and has a surface temperature of around 6,500 Kelvin. Procyon is part of the Winter Hexagon, a prominent asterism in the night sky. It is often referred to as the "Little Dog Star" and is one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye. Its name comes from the Greek word for "before the dog," as it rises before Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.